"Designed by Bruce King, and introduced in 1970, the 39 was a serious racer-cruiser in its day. With its flush deck, powerful sloop rig and nicely finished mahogany interior, it was sexy and expensive. Ericson was on top of its game in the 1970s. Today, the Ericson 39 may not be perceived as sexy, but it can certainly still be a serious boat...." ~ Sailing Magazine

Kestrel is 43 years old and shows better than most 10 year old or newer yachts. She is one of Bruce Kings best designs, built by a quality manufacturer and dearly loved and tended to by her current and only owner. This yacht has stories to tell and a lifetime of memories still to make.

Extra tall fiddles over galley, and port and starboard storage areas outboard and top of Pullman style bunks

Mahogany dining table in lieu of Formica

Full length handrails (teak) above and below decks

Balsa cored hull to waterline

Special gel coat - three colors

Boat delivered in May of 1973

History

"I have owned Kestrel for forty-two years. She is a very powerful, fast and capable boat with a beam to hull length ratio that meets the strict Bermuda Race righting moment tests handily. Despite the skipper, she has won, or placed high, in a great many races including a Halifax Race Class D 1st to finish, 1st on corrected time and 4th overall in the entire race. I have raced her single handed with good results and it is my understanding that Kestrel holds the course record in the Jeffrey's Ledge (CCA) race that is no longer raced.

We have cruised on Kestrel extensively over the years and have never been disappointed by her. We have cruised Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and south to New York in a great variety of weather conditions. At 20,000 pounds she is very comfortable and seaworthy..." ~ Current and original owner of Kestrel

Kestrel has been maintained in yacht condition since she was new. She had a major refit in the 90's including new hatches and windows (Lexan), new Hinckley type overhead in cabin, bottom stripped and coated with Interprotect, rudder taken apart and rebuilt, Awlgrip hull and all through deck high load areas opened, cleaned of balsa core and filled with fiberglass or epoxy. More recently her bottom was stripped (2012) and (4) more coats of Interprotect added. Also he cabin sole was replaced with new teak and holly.

Condition

" Kestrel is in fine condition and shows her high level of maintenance. Her bottom is wet sanded annually and is very smooth. She has an insurance survey done in 2012 and good condition is noted (survey available upon request).

She has lots of spare parts and equipment such as swim ladder, horseshoe life rings, etc..... as might be on a one owner boat.

She is ready to race or cruise and as her owner has reached ripe old age, she will be sold with much equipment including (3) gimballed oil lamps that have provided countless cozy evenings aboard and much other gear" ~ Gerry Merser - Owner

Owners Comments

"Perhaps the best endorsement for "Kestrel's" 43 years with me is that I could never find another boat that provided me with as many great features.

First and foremost: speed and comfort in all conditions, and great in light air and at 20,000+ lbs (10,000 in lead keel) she handles rough seas very well.

Strong and well constructed - Ericsons were high end boats and well built. Together we managed to find a ledge or two (or three) along the way and a keel repair the only problem.

The pedestal steering on the bridge deck forward in the cockpit is great! Protected by a dodger, easy to see the jib tell tales and in really lousy weather we could sit out of the rain, on the bridge deck and steer without foul weather gear.

Very comfortable cockpit, high seat backs, seating for (8) in comfort and huge lockers under the seats. Plenty of room for racing crew to use winches.

Very comfortable interior with full headroom throughout and extra-large bunks ((4) with lee cloths), a wood stove for drying warmth, and berths for (7). Plenty of storage, and as a traditionalist, I enjoy the warm feeling of a nicely finished mahogany interior with a teak and holly sole.

The (4) burner stove with oven and broiler, very large fridge and 130 gallon water capacity made for great meals, even racing, and two sinks made cleanup easy.

Bruce King designed a great boat and Ericson a good job building her.

She has won a great many races showing her transom to far newer and well regarded sailboats.

I only wish that I could continue to sail and race her - she has been a joy!" ~ Gerry Merser Owner

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Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.